Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/270

 We would not, however, have our Reader imagine, that Perons of uch Characters as were upported by Thwackum and Square, would undertake a Matter of this Kind, which hath been a little cenured by ome rigid Moralits, before they had thoroughly examined it, and conidered whether it was (as Shakespear phraes it) ‘Stuff o’ th’ Concience’ or no. Thwackum was encouraged to the Undertaking, by reflecting, that to court your Neighbour’s Siter is no where forbidden, and he knew it was a Rule in the Contruction of all Laws, that “Expreum facit ceare Tacitum”, the Sene of which is, “When a Law-giver ets down plainly his whole Meaning, we are prevented from making him mean what we pleae ourelves.” As ome Intances of Women, therefore, are mentioned in the divine Law, which forbids us to covet our Neighbours Goods, and that of a Siter omitted, he concluded it to be lawful. And as to Square, who was in his Peron what is called a jolly Fellow, or a Widow’s Man, he eaily reconciled his Choice to the eternal Fitnes of Things.

Now, as both thee Gentlemen were indutrious in taking ever Opportunity of